Winds of Solace

[Danger Arceneau]

G L Y T H E S E C T O R
Ten Tempest System
Vortex

Cathedral of WInds

Vortex was known for it’s violent weather, particularly sharp winds caused by an abnormal tilt in the planet’s axis. It was a planet of extremes, where during the winter months, vast polar ice caps formed almost instantaneously by the freezing gasses in the planet’s atmosphere. The sudden change in air pressure made huge currents, sending them sweeping across the entire planet.

Yet from such extremes, the Vors would thrive. As would the Cathedral of Winds that the reptilian species at the center of their society.

It was a testament to how life would find a way. How in the most grievous of circumstances, something completely and utterly beautiful could be found. Considered to be one of the Twenty Wonders of the Galaxy, the colossal building on Vortex created music by the vibrating wind that was both exquisite as it was beautiful. Annually, the Vors would play a concert in the cathedral, flying through it to open and close the windows and doors, using the Cathedral like an organ. Not a single recording of the melody was ever allowed, often even considered a myth. To partake in the event was a rarity few in the ‘Verse ever would experience.

An experience Danger was set to share with [member="Alric Kuhn"] today.

It began at Cambriele; no, perhaps it had begun earlier than that. Perhaps it all started when Alric had stepped foot on Tatooine out of his own volition and continued the next month with Danger’s invitation to lunch. Both had a desire and the inclination for each other’s company, along with the growing understanding that immersing oneself in work would only serve to enable the bad habits of the past.

For Danger, it began as a desire to ensure that Alric would not turn into a hermit. That he would not wallow in his grief -- that he would not become a living ghost of his sorrow. Along with that came the underlying draw to the man himself. To her best friend. Theirs was a connection that had been severed, and in its loss had carved a wound where she had excised the salvaged flesh and attempted to move on. But she never truly could.

Who knew how it happened, in the end it really didn’t matter. Each encounter thereafter would draw them closer, mending slowly the severed threads. Where they had once met in the past like two powerful forces of nature crashing unto the other, playing a game in it for the win -- in the now, each meeting would simply be met with the refreshing shower of contentment. Simply being.

There was virtue in keeping the other accountable to ensure that days would be spent in relaxation, in discovering what lay out in the universe that neither truly ever gave the time to see.

The singing towers of the Cathedral of Winds would be the first of a mental bucket list the Arceneau.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

Alric had never much cared for sights.

There was a certain beauty in the galaxy, he couldn't deny that. He had built a station next to a quasar and had stared at the blinding light for hours. Yet there was never a need for him to go out of his way to see things, never a need for him to trollop around the rest of the galaxy and find spectacular things to look at. It was just an urge that he had never felt before. Yet when Danger asked him to come, when she prodded him to visit the winds of vortex, he couldn't say no.

His neck cracked slightly as he shifted, his back echoing the sounds a few seconds later as he stretched and moved.

It was a relief almost, to shift and move about more freely. Instead of his usual tightly tailored suit he wore what many would have called casual clothing. Comfortable boots, long pants with felt lining the inside, and a simple shirt that clung to him. A jacket of heavy cloth hung over the back of his seat, and glasses were tucked into their frown pocket. As he stretched he slowly stood, pulling the garment free.

"Alright." Alric said to himself as he pulled on the heavy field jacket and zipped it closed in one smooth motion. The hiss of the ramp could be heard, and seconds later the howl of winds.

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

 

[Danger Arceneau]

There was no hat this time around.

Instead Danger sported a thick singular braid that started at the nape of her neck and swung down to the middle of her back. She had a sort of rugged look about her, trading the dress for comfortably snug tanned pants and a button up white blouse with the first two buttons loose. Comfortable calf high nerfskin boots and a warm leather jacket in a pliant deep mahogany hue.

She too wore shades over her eyes, the sunglasses shielding her eyes not only from the glare of the sun but the brisk winds. Strands of loose hair would submit to the strong winds, sending a few bangs to feather the sides of her face. She met [member="Alric Kuhn"] at the ramp, the brisk air already sending his peppered forelocks into a chaotic frenzy.

The corner of her mouth perked up in amusement, and with a hip rolling saunter she descended beside him. "Refreshing, isn't it?"

For once her expression was lighthearted, the corners of her eyes crinkling. The cool air along with the brisk bursts of wing would color her cheeks pink, framing the light scattering of freckles there.

Up ahead was the long pathway that would lead up to the cathedral, and while it certainly was a walk, the winds were not so bad to be a hindrance.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

A gust of wind pressed against his face, the sensors on his glasses clocking its speed somewhere near the hundred mile per hour. A slight grumble escaped him, if only because a shiver ran down his spine.

"Yes." He said to Danger. "Quite lovely."

A planet of storms? Yeah great tourist destination. Then again this was the choice of a woman who lived on a planet made entirely out of desert that had two suns. Perhaps he shouldn't be too surprised that she would pick another...unique destination to visit. A small smirk played on his face as they began to walk, Alric's hands slipping into his pockets. "Next time, I'm going to pick where we go."

He already had a location in mind, somewhere...cold.

Danger didn't like the cold.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

“Do you have a problem with my selection, Alric?”

Her coo would be like salt to the wound were it not for the wry note of amusement in her voice. ‘Refreshing’ was putting it lightly. As was brisk. Yet it was to these extremes that much like her namesake, Danger would thrive in. There was a pep to her walk, maybe even a touch of excitement.

“Think of it as a rejuvenating method of getting your old bones back into shape!” came her light tease, walking alongside him as the underground tunnels up a head would grant them solace from the fierce winds.

Up ahead, against the mountain range jutting out defiantly, an ethereal keening sound would float in the distance. It appeared at the uppermost range of their hearing and slowly moved down the scale. At the sound of it, Danger felt a chill go down her spine, and one would even swear that the chords were a chorus of haunting voices that alternatively boomed and whispered over the cliffs and trees around them.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"Oh no, none at all." He said with no small amount of sarcasm within his voice. "I was just thinking about how Hoth is this time of year."

Alric's voice was biting, though teasing obviously.

A small smile pulled on his face as he hid his face in the large collar of his jacket. The gust of wind pushed at him, and with the wind came the haunting sound that seemed to send shivers down his spine. It seemed the gusts were getting stronger, and longer as they traveled down the path. Oddly there were no others, no tourists, no locals, nothing.

He smelled the air, trying to take in as much as his senses would allow.

The musical notes began to play within his ears, and he could barely make them out. Goosebumps slowly crawled across his skin.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

“Big, white, and boring.” came Danger’s reply, edged with sass and a glance that suggested she wasn’t too fond of the icy world. Not to mention cold, she’d muse.

Her time as a smuggler in her youth forced her to become intimately acquainted with Hoth. There were few worlds she rather not have the opportunity to visit again, and Hoth was near the top of the list. It came into conflict with the amount of profit one would make in mining the rarest of spices deep in the icy ravines of Hoth’s crust. That is, if one could manage to avoid the Wampas.

The distant melody would barely cut through the sound of the wailing wind, but like moth to the flame both would continue the path that would bring them to the first tunnel. There was strangely a lack of the Vors themselves, something that also struck her as curious.

Just where were the Vors?

A frown drew over her face, and she would pan her head to take in the rather bleak environment. Where Tatooine was and arid desert, Vortex was a world carved by the fierce winds that swept its surface. Nary a single bush of vegetation could be spotted.

“One can do better than Hoth,” she would continue idly, returning her attention towards the first tunnel. A bit wary, she quickened her steps, moving just a bit ahead of Alric to find shelter within the delicate and almost Geonosian hivelike honey comb of its surface.

“The cathedral is up ahead,” she’d inform over her shoulder, frowning a bit as she would pluck the sunglasses from her face. Tucking them into the inside pocket of her jacket, she gave another half shiver at the windshield.

“Ever met a Vors?” she asked him, slowing down to a half stop. Towering up in the distance, the Cathedral of Winds spires would soar into the sky.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Alric cast a slow glance around themselves for a second as they moved forward.

His eyes wandered, and then very quietly he answered Danger. "I think I ate one once."

Of course he was kidding, probably. The Vor were an interesting species, reptilian in nature and perfectly capable of flight. Alric hadn't actually ever met any of them, apparently not many traveled within his circle. That wasn't too surprising, after all Alric had been in his own little world for many years, and the Vor were perfectly contented with where they were in the galaxy, or most of them were.

He caught sight of the cathedral, or half of one of its spires.

His lips thinned. There was something remarkable about the hive like architecture of the Cathedral. It reminded him of Geonosis, or the massive hive rocks that the insects there had built. Of course it wasn't quite the same, but they looked similar. He wondered if the Geonosians knew that, if the Vor knew that. The odd similarities that seemed to happen in the galaxy between species was utterly remarkable.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

A half shove at his shoulder along with a faint glare was her initial reply. "Right. Take them medium rare?" She'd murmur with no small amount of sarcasm. Another sharp gust caught them at the entrance, and the faint notes of harmony went up the scale again in a haunting melody.

"Come on," her insistent command - after all, she was a rather pushy woman - came with the slid of her arm around his own. "Walls have eyes, and with your luck I'd end up having to save our skins." She'd say saucily. Oh that was in direct reference to the times their fates tested on her hands.

"This isn't the original cathedral, you know." Danger would explain, "it's the second incarnation. The first had been destroyed when a starfighter crashed into it."

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Maybe next time I'll have to save you. He mused the thought, though he didn't say it outloud.

Alric hadn't been idle since he had stopped speaking with Danger, or rather, since she had stopped speaking to him. He had learned a great many things, how to survive, how to move, even how to properly shoot a blaster. Silara had taught him some things, but even before then Alric had made it a point to learn how to not be useless. Kiran had helped with that, the man had helped with a great many things in that regard. He smiled slightly at the memories, though shook his head and moved forward.

"Oh?" He replied to Danger. "Who exactly was piloting it?"

It was almost too painful not to add 'A woman probably'. It would irk Danger, but he could do better than a joke like that.

Still, he smirked at the thought and shook his head slightly, as if trying to think of the consequences of actually saying it out loud. Time had warped his sense of humor, and even though he had lost it for a bit, the months that had passed since Silara's death had seen it return thanks to his friend and his daughters.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Alric Kuhn

“Admiral Ackbar,” Danger told him, noticing the smirk play across his face. “Turns out his starfighter was sabotaged -- what is so funny?” she’d demand, staring up at him with a feint scowl.. Her brows were furrowed, eyes probing, and an expression of growing annoyance would shift over her features. It was for the most part an act, a way to banter with the former Titan. Things were flowing a bit more natural now, interacting with him didn’t hurt as much as it felt like coming home. All the more when his humor was making the most of its appearance.

Staring up at him, she took in the ruffled hair, her reflection across the polarized lenses of his sunglasses, the way the corner of his mouth and bearded cheek rose in humor. She had no clue how well he was sleeping, but he certainly was looking healthier. Better than when she saw him last in his office, bare chested and with the weight of his shoulders upon him. Thankfully, not a piece of his Dat’qah tattoo had been cut, but if he was still considering cutting off specific memories of his life, then he had not mentioned it.

His relationship with the girls appeared to be finding a measure of stability. No one knew better than she on how the sense of betrayal could push and severe relationships; much as she had done so with Alric years ago. While she had not asked the details of what happened with Silara or how the girls took the news, Danger was there to offer support. Alric will always share as much as he was willing; probing further wouldn’t do any of them any good.

At the very least, she was happy that a measure of humor and cheer had returned to the Tetan. He wore his age, but seeing him smile and laugh would shave years away. It made her breath catch, consider. The end result is that she was happy that he was happier now. One should always want the people they love to be happy. She had long come to terms to where she stood, and to be frank, she wasn’t sure if she could ever open herself up as she had done long ago. Not with Alric, not with anyone else. Perhaps that is why Danger had taken steps with her own clone, why unlike Alric, she wanted to make sure that the young woman would be open to experiences that she had sacrificed long ago.

It wasn’t a do over. It was the well wishes of a mother to a daughter that she would have a good life.

Her scowl would deepen, and she’d shake her head. “You can be insufferable at times, Kuhn.” however, there was no hiding the subtle quirk of her lips. One could point out that she wasn’t actually upset, which just might fan the fire into a blaze, but ultimately, no true injury would follow.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

"Yet you keep coming to see me." Alric said as they moved ever forward.

The Cathedral was getting closer now, Alric could hear it. Of the twenty wonders in the galaxy, the Cathedral didn't really interest him all that much. Sure it made beautiful sounds and it was a sight to behold, but it didn't quite capture his imagination as some of the other things on the list did. Of course he had also always thought that the list itself was rather lacking, especially considering that it left out some of the greatest galactic achievements that had ever been created.

He mused on that thought as they crested the rise of another hill, and the Cathedral finally came into full view.

It was beautifully crafted, almost hauntingly so, even Alric had to admit that. Yet there was something to it that didn't quite fit with Alric. Maybe that was because he had always leaned more towards the modern, the prospective outlook, rather than towards the past. To him, Citadel Station was a galactic wonder, the Imperial Palace was, Bastion, Kuat Drive Yards. Massive feats of engineering thought impossible in ages past.

That was what he considered to be amazing.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"Reckon I should reconsider my level of sanity then," came her own rueful quip, muttered loud enough for him to hear. Indeed, maybe she was a glutton for punishment. Considering everything in the past to the now, it was a price she was fit to pay, as much as it was said in humor.

However, banter aside, Alric would feel Danger slow beside him. "Now ain't that a doozy," came her sigh, tipping her head back at the spectacular view of the Cathedral of Winds. Here, one could see tiny blurs of movement flowing like drifting leaves beside the tall spheres. The melody would be easier to discern now, a mournful chorus played by the elements, and upon closer inspection, the small flying blurs would reveal themselves to be the missing Vors.

Unlike Alric, Danger had a preference for natural wonders carved by time and by those of ancients past. Perhaps that dealt with her own grassroots; born and raised on Tatooine gave one an appreciation - or distaste - of what the fury or blessing of nature could craft across the surface of a planet. That wasn’t to say she didn’t held a respect for modern marvels, but she always enjoyed simply getting to the basics.

“We should go inside... ” Yet the words were swept away on a melody of sadness and mourning that was nothing like she had ever heard. The song evolved into a complex harmony that would have been the envy of the most accomplished chorus, the notes washing over Alric and Danger like gentle but urgent waves upon two tiny reefs.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Alric moved forward, making sure that Danger would not fall off the path.

The haunting tones played over them, pushed into his skin and threaded through his ears. It was interesting, an intense feeling of melody that seemed to string through his entire body. A indescribable feeling took hold of him, and briefly he wondered exactly why they had built this place. Perhaps it was the melody, perhaps it was the allure, he didn't really know.

For Alric it was another feat of construction, but an ancient one.

He could appreciate it. He could like it, but to him there was simply something that was missing, something that could make it greater. He was a futurist, always looking for the modern and beyond. It was his flaw, the fact that he saw the past as something to be studied and learned from, but not repeated.

Strange.

"Do you have any earplugs?" Alric leaned over and asked her.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Danger gave a double take. Was he serious? Was he -- oh there it was, that devilish glimmer. Alric's ribs would promptly find themselves in intimate contact with Danger's elbow.

"Why do I ever take you anywhere?!" she'd mutter dryly, pulling away from his arm. "Makes you wonder... why they built to to begin with." she would muse quietly a bit later, taking a few steps forward. A shiver ran down her spine. Was it because of the haunting nature of the music or was it due to the cold? Her arms rose, unconsciously wrapping round her middle as her hands would rub her upper arms slowly over her jacket.

Why did they set out to build Cathedral of Winds? What purpose did it fulfill? What legacy?

Hmm. Legacy.

She had oft wondered what legacy she would be leaving behind. It was one of the very reasons why she had set aside specific plans for the future. The Arceneau name and legacy would end with her.

A thought came to Danger then. Turning towards Alric, she'd study him quietly for a moment. Contemplating. It was hard to determine what she was thinking, but there was a deep profound focus there. Finally, there was a subtle upward perk at the corner of her mouth, a ghost of a smile.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Alric caught Danger's look out of the corner of her eyes. It was an odd look, almost mischievous. Blue eyes shifted to look at her, his face rather blank. The two of them knew each other, probably better than they knew anyone else in the entire galaxy. Years had passed, near decades, but they still could see one another like no one else. It only helped that they had been spending more time together, that they were taking these little trips. It brought back that familiarity, that very real friendship.

The former Titan shifted his gaze back towards the Cathedrals insides.

"It worries me when you look at me like that." Alric commented quietly, though with an obvious hint of teasing in his tone.

There was no worry with Danger. It was strange, he had always trusted her, still did. It was he that had betrayed her, yet he knew that the trust was slowly being rebuilt, that things were getting back to how they were. In his own mind he didn't believe he quite deserved it yet, but eventually he would. Danger was the only thing he had besides his daughters, she was important.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

“Does it now?” her voice softly drawled with a lackadaisical air, her head panning back to admire the Cathedral and the melody the Vors would play. Tendrils of auburn and white streaked hair would feather and dance over her head, a side-effect of the brisk winds from earlier. Casual observation would make one believe Danger was merely basking in the majesty of the Galactic Wonder.

“‘Fraid I’ve your epitaph in mind, Alric?” she’d tease, still encircling herself with her arms and just leaning her head back to soak everything in. Her lids fell shut and she let her senses blaze with the sound. Funny how that worked. One could feel the rise and fall of octaves across the skin, and a chill went down her spine enough to raise the tiny hairs at the nape of her neck.

“Reckon I could come up with a line or two.”

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Alric watched Danger.

He wasn't as lost in the moment as she, in fact he seemed perfectly content to simply look at her. It was an odd thing, perhaps she didn't even notice it, yet it was more calming for Alric to look at his friend than to look at all that was around him. She was a rock within his life, a stable thing that he could hold onto without faltering. She was comfort, when much else seemed to be turmoil.

With Rose in the outer rim, and Lily slowly getting back on to her feet, Alric more often than not found himself alone. It was nice to have company, nice to be needed.

"No no." Alric answered her quietly, speaking between the notes of the Cathedral. "Don't trouble yourself. I think I'll have Six speak at my funeral. She's far more eloquent."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

"No amount of flowery language gonna have her say it in a maid costume," she'd toss back, the line of wry sarcasm floating over to him. She took a deep breath, letting the cool crisp air into her lungs. There was the faintest sensation upon her person that made her crack her eyes ever so slightly, staring at him through her peripheral.

"Took damn well some time to scrub whatever you done did to her then," he'd know exactly what she meant. Over two decades ago, back when he was more apt to jump before looking. When she had hightailed it after their little episode at the Expo, she'd sent Six to clean up after her mess when it came in regards to BlastTech ... and his silence.

Needless to say, it didn't end well. Not when his ire some how managed to figure out that Six was her HRD and not Danger in the flesh.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

He smirked. "You sure it's all gone? I noticed she was awfully tidy the last time I saw her."

That was still one of his more amusing ideas. It had worked wonders really, the apartment on Coruscant had never been cleaner. Of course he hadn't visited that place in nearly a decade, but it was amusing, plus Danger looked quite good in black and white. Rather, Six did.

"I should check." Alric said with a smirk. "You know, just make sure that everything is okay."

Alric had once considered getting an HRD, in fact had bought his own, though it hadn't mimicked him. They were remarkable pieces of technology, and now that he thought about it could be made to do interesting things. Perhaps asking Danger if she wanted to upgrade Six wouldn't be a bad idea, and this time he would keep the maid costume off of her.

Probably.